Course Reflection

To say the least, this course was not what I was expecting. I was expecting to perform Revit projects for the whole term. But the information taught in class was a refreshing change of pace. It almost seemed as if I was stepping out into a completely new field of study. With lectures focusing on robotics and sensors, I was not sure how this was architectural engineering course. But as everything began coming together, I could see how all these pieces of technology fit into building design. Building design is not all about aesthetics and structural calculation, it a means of making the future bigger, brighter and more efficient. And this is exactly what was taught in the Intelligent Buildings course. Elements such a construction drones and robots and 3D printing all tie into how buildings will be created and maintained more efficiently as technology advances. Never before have I seen so many engineering fields being intertwined with civil and architectural engineering.

During my study here at Drexel University, I had a concern that may or not may not face many civil engineers. I was worried that my field was evolving very slowly, and that anything new or groundbreaking never really happened. A few different codes release a new edition every couple of years, but nothing really extraordinarily new comes along. In fields such as software and electrical engineering, new systems are being developed rapidly while civil engineers are moving at a moderately stagnant pace. However, through the knowledge gained from AE 510, I know this is not true. With advances in technology, the way engineers think about traditional building design and maintenance can become completely obsolete. This is an exciting concept that can possibly make the structures of tomorrow come alive today.

Directly relating to my profession as a structural engineer, I do not see many direct impacts from the class. While all of the information taught by Dr. Mitchell is valuable, it is not necessarily useful in developing a framing plan for a structure. But, like I said before, traditional structural design may be upset with heavy advancement in manufacturing and labor technologies. Only the future will tell how “intelligent” buildings can become.

Comments

Ian – I completely agree with you on the speakers that presented to us in class. They were extremely intelligent and taught me a lot about intelligent building design. I especially enjoyed the speaker from Bentley who presented very useful tools foe engineers. I also have to agree about the database assignment. While the assignment provided great insight towards the creation of databases, it does not necessarily relate to me.

Ivan- 3D printing was one of the most interesting topics from the class to me as well. The possibilities for this technology are endless and it is exciting to see what kind of object will be printed next. I hope within our lifetime that we can see printed materials used in space, but based on the budget being cut for NASA, we may never see it. However, being able to order a physical good from a website and being able to materialize it within my own home is a very exciting concept!

Group B Week 9 Story

Link: Click here

Week 7 - Temperature Sensors

Temperature sensors are extremely important in modern life. Chemical engineering, modern medicine, and many other fields demand that the exact temperature be measured constantly. These sensors have to be extremely precise in order to maintain effectiveness. Specifically relating to BIM, temperature sensors are utilized to maintain a level of desired temperature for the inhabitants while also making the building energy and cost effectiveness. Temperature sensors have been a household item since the development of the mercury thermometer. These thermometers, or filled system thermometers, are filled with a liquid material with a high thermal expansion rate. This material then expands with the increase of molecule movement, or increase in heat. This sensor is ultimately reading and reacting to the increase or decrease in molecular movement, which controls how the liquid expands or contracts. (Middleton 1966)

The most commonly used temperature sensor today would be thermocouples. These types of sensors monitor temperature using electricity, like many modern sensors. This sensor is comprised of two different conductors in long, tube-like fashion. These conductors are placed a different temperatures, one location being the reference temperature, and the next being the location in which the temperature is trying to be measured. The differences in temperature between the reference point and point of interest produces a voltage which is then analyzed by a computing system to then provide the temperature at a certain point. These systems are inexpensive and require no external power, much like a filled system thermometer, which makes them highly popular. However, thermocouples are not extremely accurate and should not be used when extreme accuracy and precision is required. (Babadi 2011)

A pyrometer is another type of temperature sensor which utilizes a different approach from both thermometers and thermocouples. Radiation pyrometers measures the radiation of a given light, either visible or infrared, and then this this radiation heats an internal thermocouple to create a voltage. These types of sensors are used in non-contact situations.  (Stein 1994)

Temperature sensors are invaluable to BIM, as well as many other fields. Creating comfortable and cost-effective buildings require that the temperature be monitored and maintained at all times. These devices are not as simple as many people think however. And in order to utilizes them properly, one must understand what these sensors are actually doing.

References

Babadi, S. (2011, April). Sensors and their Applications. In 10 th Research Seminar Series Workshop.

Middleton, W. E. K. (1966). A history of the thermometer and its use in meteorology (p. v). Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins Press.

Stein, A. (1994). U.S. Patent No. 5,308,161. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Comments

Melanie- Great post outlining the current state and limitations of motion sensors. I am curious how much these will actually advance. Do you believe that motion sensors could be improved enough to be utilized for other systems? I agree that the lighting system is one of the few systems in which motion detectors are effective and not annoying. Even then, motion sensors can become aggravating if the lights keep turning off.

Nameta- I really enjoyed that you brought attention to the fact the humidity is just as important as temperature in terms of indoor air quality. These types of sensors are very important to maintain a healthy indoor space as well as a comfortable one. BIM aims to create the most effective building and being able to monitor the humidity is extremely important.

Temperature Sensors - Group B

Temperature sensors are used in many modern day electronics to monitor heat levels to avoid overheating.  Since some processes only work within a narrow range of temperatures, accurate measurements are needed so that preventative measures can be enacted, or the system can shut down to avoid any damages.  Also, as Tyler Woyshner described in his blog post, temperature sensors are utilized in many buildings to control the comfort levels of the occupants.  He goes on to mention how measurements can be used to adjust the temperature settings of the building itself.  A variety of sensors exist including thermocouples, thermistors, sensor integrated circuits, and resistance temperature detectors (RFDs).  These are all considered contact sensors which have to touch an object to obtain a measurement.

Audrey Ryan gives a more descriptive account in her blog post about how different types of temperature sensors perform measurements, but to give a brief explanation of how these types of sensors operate, thermocouples work by having “two dissimilar metals joined together at one end, to produce a small unique voltage at a given temperature.” (Hareendran)  These types of sensors can measure a range of up to 1700 degrees but tend to not be very sensitive.  Thermistors measure a change of electrical resistance that corresponds to different temperature changes but have a smaller range of measurements and can be cheaper.  RFDs are sensors “that contain a resistor that changes resistance value as its temperature changes” (Omega) and tend to have better accuracy and stability than thermocouples. 

Temperature sensors monitor “the atomic activity and movement of an object. When temperature sensor devices read an object with zero atomic activity, the temperature point is considered absolute zero.” (DeVale)  The more atomic activity leads to higher temperatures which cause more electronic activity or resistance in the sensor taking the measurements.  Based on the strength of the temperature, the sensor can produce an analog or digital output which can be sent to databases that store measurements, or devices that display the measured temperature.

One form of non-contact temperature sensors are infrared sensors.  These “convert thermal energy sent from an object in a wavelength range of 0.7 to 20 um into an electrical signal that converts the signal for display in units of temperature after compensating for any ambient temperature. “ (Mathas)  Because these temperature measurements can be made from a distance, they are often used in hazardous environments. 

References:

Hareendran, T. K. "Working With Temperature Sensors: A Guide." Electronics Zone, 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://electronicsforu.com/electronicsforu/circuitarchives/view_article.asp?sno=1476&title%20=%20Working+With+Temperature+Sensors%3A+A+Guide&id=12364&article_type=8&b_type=new>.

Mathas, Carolyn. "Temperature Sensors; the Basics." Digi-Key Corporation, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.digikey.com/en-US/articles/techzone/2011/oct/temperature-sensors-the-basics>.

"Temperature Sensor: Understanding How They Work." DeVale Industries Inc, 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.devale.com/temperature-sensor/temperature-sensing.html>.

"What Are RTD Sensors? Why Use Them? How Do They Work?" Omega Engineering Inc, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. <http://www.omega.com/Temperature/pdf/RTD_Gen_Specs_Ref.pdf>.

Group B - Temperature Sensors - Woyshner

  A temperature sensor is a device that gathers data concerning the temperature from a source and converts it to a form that can be understood either by an observer or another device.  These sensors come in many different forms and are used for a wide variety of purposes, from simple home use to extremely accurate and precise scientific use.  They play a very important role almost everywhere that they are applied.  Knowing the temperature helps people to pick their clothing before a walk outside just as it helps chemists to understand the data collected from a complex chemical reaction (“What Is a Temperature Sensor”).  Temperature control in buildings is very important because occupant comfort is key to a building’s success.  If the occupants in a building are uncomfortable, not only will it be inconvenient for them, but it also may cause their work to suffer or even cause illness over time.  Temperature sensors can be used in buildings to monitor the current temperature of the room and then adjust it according to the data that it records. 

  Temperature sensors don’t directly measure the temperature.  They actually infer the temperature by sensing some change in a physical characteristic.  Some common types of temperature sensors are: Thermocouples, resistive temperature devices (RTDs or thermistors), infrared temperature measurement devices and liquid expansion devices  (Mathas).  Thermocouples consist of two strips of wire made of different metals and joined at one end.  Changes in temperature at the juncture induce a change in electromotive force between the other ends.  As the temperature goes up, this output emf of the thermocouple rises.  RTD’s rely on the resistance change in a metal, with the resistance rising linearly with temperature.  Infrared devices infer temperature by measuring the thermal radiation emitted by a material.  Fluid expansion devices (the household thermometer is the most common example) measure the temperature by measuring the displacement of fluid expansion.  These are the least accurate of the temperature measuring types (“Temperature Measurement”).

  An example of temperature sensors being used is in a common closed-loop air conditioning system.  The system is set at a certain temperature, then the sensor measures the actual temperature of the room and turns the air on/off according to what it reads.  This allows the system to save energy; instead of running at a constant temperature all day, the system only turns on when the room is too cold, and it shuts off when the room is too hot.

Comments:

Bruder:   It was very interesting to learn how movement sensors and temperature sensors have to work together in order to detect human beings.  Also, it was very cool to learn about how ultrasonic motion sensors work and how they can work through walls and obstructions.

Kilgallon:  Before reading this post, I had very little knowledge of pressure sensors and how they worked.  It was very interesting to learn how theses sensors can be used in a piping system to detect changes and ultimately prevent system failures.  Even though it is just a small part of a bigger system, it seems like a very important piece of the puzzle.

References:

Mathas, Carolyn. "Temperature Sensors; The Basics." Digi-Key Article Library. Hearst Electronic Products, n.d. Web.

"Temperature Measurement." Temperature Measurement. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

"What Is a Temperature Sensor?" WiseGEEK. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014.

Group B: Temperature Sensors

There are four major types of temperature sensors: thermocouples, thermistors, resistance temperature detectors, and infrared sensors. Thermocouples, thermistors, and resistance temperature detectors are classified as contact temperature sensors, meaning that they directly measure the temperature of an object by physical contact, as the name would indicate. Noncontact temperature sensors such as infrared sensors indirectly determine temperature by detecting the intensity of thermal radiation being emitted.

Each type of sensor has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Thermocouples are the most popular type of temperature sensor due to their low cost, durability, and wide range of operation, performing at temperatures up to 3000 C ("Temperature and Temperature Sensors"). They are composed of a pair of junctions made of two dissimilar metals and work by calculating temperature based on the thermoelectric voltage generated between those metals (Mathas). Their simplicity allows a nearly immediate response to temperature variations and means that the units themselves are small and physically durable ("Sensor Selection Guides"). Disadvantages include requiring direct contact with the object being measured and errors due to interference from unaccounted radiation or electric current. Thermocouples also tend to lose accuracy over time as the resistance of the insulated wire deteriorates (Mathas).

Thermistors are the least expensive type of temperature sensor. They are semiconductors formed from metal oxide beads that are coated with glass or epoxy. To measure temperature, a known current is passed through the thermistor and the resulting voltage measured. The temperature can then be determined as a function of the calculated resistance (“Temperature and Temperature Sensors”).  These sensors are highly sensitive and using small thermistor beads will produce very precise readings. However, their range of operation is limited and they do not function well at temperature over 300 C (“Sensor Selection Guides”).

Like thermistors, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) rely on changes in resistance to determine temperature. Instead of being made from metal oxide beads, the circuit consists of a thin films or coils of platinum (Mathas). They operate over a fairly wide temperature range and can perform measurements over large areas. The greatest advantage is their accuracy and stability over time; RTDs experience very little drift, consistently returning precise measurements (“Sensor Selection Guides”).

Infrared or non-contact sensors measure temperature by converting the thermal energy emitted by an object to an electrical signal. Units typically include a lens to concentrate the radiated heat onto the measurement device. Advantages of infrared sensors include faster response times and the ability to detect temperature of moving, remote, or irregular objects (“Sensor Selection Guides”). They can be used in sensitive applications where contact sensors might contaminate the heat source or interfere with a delicate process. Primary limitations are susceptibility to environmental conditions and restricted measurement areas.

Steve's post covers common methods that pressure sensors use to convert pressure into measurable outputs. Similar to temperature sensors, most rely on electrical signals like voltage, current, or capacitance. However, there is typically an intermediate step in which pressure is first measured in physical displacement prior to conversion to an electrical output. Mike's post touches on ways in which these pressure sensors are being utilized in other fields, including aviation and biomedical industries. I like that it includes a discussion of how similar technology might be applied in intelligent buildings.

References:

Mathas, Carolyn. "Temperature Sensors." Digi-Key. N.p., 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

"Sensor Selection Guides." Watlow. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

"Temperature and Temperature Sensors." National Instruments. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Week 6- What is SQL?

SQL, which stands for Structured Query Language, is a program language specifically designed for managing data. The language is specifically used for updating, deleting and requesting information from databases. The four main functions that SQL selecting performs are selecting, inserting, updating and deleting data. By utilizing SQL, these types of functions allow seamless communication and manipulations to different databases. Database management can be an extremely difficult process and SQL helps make this task more manageable. (Chamberlin 1981)

SQL was first developed in the early 1970s by Dr. E.F. Codd. It was first developed as SEQUEL, or Structured English Query Language, which would later become SQL. This type of language was specifically developed for providing a standard for accessing and manipulating IBM databases. This database base manipulation language was the standardized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986. The International Standards Organizations (ISO) also approves of SQL.  SQL became universally accepted and is still used today, although it has been enhanced many times. (Kline 2004)

The language that SQL utilizes is specifically designed for data within a relational database management system (RDBMS). This system is the primary engines of information systems across the globe and are heavily used in web applications and client/server communications. Users of RDMS systems view data as a collection of tables that are related to one another through a series of common data values. SQL allows the user to easily manage these tables and manipulate the data. Through the SQL language, users can perform tasks such as merge or delete with relative eases.

Comments

Brian Benson- Very good post covering rational database theory. I think it’s amazing that databases as advanced as this could be created over 40 years ago. E.F. Cod was certainly a genius and provided the modern age with many tools that enable us to store the mass amounts of data that is used on a daily basis. His ideas were nothing but revolutionary and hopefully the future leaders in database design can make them even stronger and easier to use.

Ted Bruder- Excellent post that defines the importance of databases. People may not think that technology such as this plays a big role in construction, but as your post points out, it most certainly does. Time is extremely valuable today and easily accessing data is imperative to run a well-organized company. I believe that in order to transition into the future and stay competitive, many companies, not just construction companies, will need to utilize database management effectively.

References

Chamberlin, D. D., Gilbert, A. M., & Yost, R. A. (1981, September). A history of System R and SQL/data system. In VLDB (pp. 456-464).

Kline, K., Hunt, B., & Kline, D. (2004). SQL in a nutshell: a desktop quick reference. O'Reilly Media, Inc..

Week 6 - What is SQL?

“SQL stands for Structured Query Language.  According to American National Standards Institute, it is the standard language for relational database management systems.  It is used as a way to communicate with a database.  SQL statements perform tasks such as update data on a database, or retrieve data from a database.” (What is SQL?)

A database is just a collection of data.  SQL is what is used in order to store and receive that data as efficiently as possible.  Many computer programs, such as blogs or photo galleries, need to store and retrieve data.  Instead of implementing their own system of storing and retrieving data, SQL software systems can be used.  In order to make it easy for other programs to access data, many database software support a computer language known as SQL.  This language was specifically designed for this purpose.  Programs use this language to send it instructions.  An advantage of using software is that you do not have to learn the SQL language.  You just have to learn how to use the specific software and it will code in all the specific language for you. (Heng) This is very beneficial in the working world because there is a very large learning curve when it comes to new languages; especially coding languages.

Here are a few examples of what SQL can do:

·      Execute queries against a database

·      Retrieve data from a database

·      Insert records in a database

·      Delete records from a database

·      Create new databases

·      Create new tables in a database

·      Create stored procedures in a database

·      Create views in a database

·      Set permissions on tables, procedures, and views (Introduction to SQL)

The SQL language makes it very easy for each of these commands to be executed and it is much more efficient than implementing an entirely separate system for storing and recieving data.

References:

Heng, Christopher. "What Is MySQL? What Is a Database? What Is SQL?" Thesitewizardcom RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

"Introduction to SQL." SQL Introduction. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

"What Is SQL?" SQLCourse. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.

Comments:

Yijun Qian’s post:  This was a very informative post.  Having worked in the construction firm industry for my first co-op, I understand the importance of using databases in this industry.  Keeping track of information is key, and being able to gather and record certain information is just as important.  Using a database to keep track of all of this data is very efficient and can be beneficial down the road.

Dongyan Qi’s post:  I have had some experience with design work on one of my co-ops and I realize the importance of having everybody on the same page.  Being able to integrate software and recording the documents to save as a background for future use is extremely advantageous and can save a lot of time and money.

SQL (Structured Query Language)

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a language used for accessing and managing relational databases. Based on the mathematical principles of relational algebra, it was standardized in 1986 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and later adopted internationally by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It has also been implemented as a Federal Information Processing Standard by the United States government, meaning that it is utilized in federal databases (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Other large institutions such as banks often rely on SQL-defined databases as well (Cogswell).

SQL is important because it is the most popular language for defining relational database models, which have been the standard in the data industry for roughly the past four decades. Relational databases, as opposed to hierarchical databases, are composed of tables for which the creator explicitly defines the links or relationships. For hierarchical databases, every segment is already implicitly defined in a hierarchical path (“Comparison of Hierarchical and Relational Databases”). The main advantage of relational databases is that they do not limit the user to a strict hierarchy of data and allow the programmer more liberty in regards to defining how the information is joined. As a result, they are more desirable in instances that demand flexible data structures. It is also relatively simple to edit and manipulate those structures (NIST). Stephen addressed this in his blog post and observed that relational databases can be easily used by untrained people because they are visually intuitive and eliminate the redundancies that plagued older types of databases.

As Jeremy noted in his post, SQL in its current state is merely a framework and requires additional complex coding to interact successfully with other programs. ANSI and ISO are working to develop SQL beyond its basic function as a language interface for relational models. Specifically, efforts are being made to enable interfacing for non-SQL databases and support the integration of “heterogeneous data systems” (repositories of various object and information types) by automatically enforcing SQL constraints (NIST).

In recent years, NoSQL databases (utilized by Google and Amazon) have drawn a lot of attention. NoSQL lends itself more readily to naturally hierarchical data structures. Additionally, the response time or relational databases can get “bogged down” for very complex systems that must handle many relationships and high user traffic (Cogswell). However, SQL is seeing performance improvements with the emergence of better data management extensions and remains the standard for database definition and communication.

References

"Comparison of Hierarchical and Relational Databases." IBM Information Management Software. IBM, Oct. 2013. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.

Cogswell, Jeff. "SQL vs. NoSQL: Which Is Better?" Slashdot. N.p., 12 July 2012. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.

National Institute of Standards and Technology. "Description of SQL Standards." Database Language SQL. National Institute of Standards and Technology, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2014.

SQL - What is it and why is it important.

SQL stands for Structured Query Language and uses a language that allows for interacting with data in a database.  There are many different databases that exist, but to get them to interact with each other requires them all to have some sort of standardized language or list of commands.  SQL is a program that has been around since the 1970s and “happens to be nothing but an international standard language of communication within databases.” (Chapman) 

Although not always seen, SQL is always there and is used in almost all database transactions.  However, most of the work that it does is covered up by the “large number of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that simplify database administration tasks.” (Chapple).  Many different companies use different variations of SQL that are then used by many third party companies to be coded into their final products.  Therefore, every mouse click or text that is typed by the user can be stored in or used to modify a database of information pertinent to each company.

SQL works similarly to how an excel spreadsheet is set up; it looks at data in terms of tables.  Within these tables, SQL allows the user to place data, read data, change data, and remove data from these tables.  SQL also allows for the interaction of several tables at a time to manage data.  Some modern programmers find this approach to be antiquated because “SQL only knows tables, and every operation produces tables. It either "produces" a table by modifying an existing one, or it returns a new temporary table as your data set.” (Shaw)  This can pose problems with many programs today that utilize object-oriented programming that focus on nested objects and parent-child relationship coding techniques.  However, since SQL only provides basic framework, programmers have learned to adapt and change their programs to incorporate all of SQL’s various functions.

Although SQL is a simplified language compared to others, it is often different for each database for which it is used.  “Some databases execute particular functions that will not always run in others. That's the reason why every company that delivers database products such as Microsoft and Oracle, have their own certification process ensuring that those who take the certification exams are very well prepared and understand the differences between the various models of SQL.” (Chapman)  SQL provides the framework to handle complex functions within each company’s own databases, but it takes specialized knowledge to be able to have these databases interact with each other. 

Comments:
Mike:  I liked how you explained the history of relational databases and how it emerged to make managing large amounts of data more efficient.  With the amount of information be stored continually increasing, managing it and accessing what you need can definitely be a hassle.

Audrey:  Explaining the difference between relational and hierarchical databases is important to know when deciding what type of database may be used for your company depending on how you want your database to perform.  It was nice to hear you mention some advantages of each. 

References:

Chapman, Daniel R. "What Is SQL and Why It Is Important?" Ezine Articles, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 8 Feb. 2014.

Chapple, Mike. "Structured Query Language (SQL)." About.com Databases. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.

Shaw, Zed A. "Introduction: Haters Gonna Hate, Or Why You Still Need SQL." Learn SQL the Hard Way. N.p., 2010. Web. 08 Feb. 2014.

3D Pirating by Mike Wright & Teddy Bruder

Description of Project

3D printing is something that is becoming very popular in future technologies. It will soon be an everyday household item that everyone uses and is proficient at. It will be so common to the point where most of online shopping will be printed at home. This is a very optimistic outlook at what 3D printing will become, but is also not far off of what it can become. This arises the concern for pirating. Once upon a time everyone had to pay for music and movies off the internet, but now everyone downloads everything illegally, and that is what could happen with 3D printing. So we will cover the possibilities of pirating and the protective measures that must be taken into account before it is too late.

Why we Chose Our Project

We chose this project because it is a real possibility and is not far in the future. This is a real issue that could cause pandemonium. People see 3D printing as a very optimistic future and really only think about the wonderful possibilities of 3D printing, never the downsides of 3D printing and the negative effect of it. Plus everyone loves some good drama.

Challenges

Challenges faced during this project will be finding adequate and reliable data to define what the future holds for 3D printing. While 3D printers are a hot technological item currently, there is not much discussion based upon the negative impacts. People are more interested in the possibility of being able to print a pair of boots from amazon rather than consider the impact it has of the postal service or the manufactures. Data may be slim with this look into the subject. Another challenge will be developing or finding restrictions that will be put on these devices to control illegal downloading and printing. If this technology becomes available to the public, overly-restricting the technology will turn people away and reduce the possible advancement in 3D printing. 

Deliverables

For this project the main deliverable will be a paper of 1,750 words or more. A powerpoint project will also be created to present our research and paper.

Relation to Intelligent Buildings

It is possible that 3D printers may one day be capable of printing buildings. While this capability is exciting, it is also dangerous. This project will look deeply into manual labor vs. intelligent buildings and whether or not they can coexist or if the advancement of automated manufacturing will destroy the jobs of manual laborers.  

Project Outline

1. Introduction
1. 3-D printing is a recent development in manufacturing that allows a user to develop a model to be mass produced. This essentially cuts out manufactures of these items. Designers of the models can potentially design, manufacture, and sell the good all in-house. In the future, it may be possible for 3-D printers to be a household item where users can purchase the rights to a model and print at their home. While this technology has great capabilities, it may prove detrimental to many aspects of society.  
2. 3-D Printing- Current State
1. Discuss the current state of 3-D printing and their capabilities.
1. Background information
2. Discuss limitations of current technology.
1. Cost of equipment
2. Ease of use
3. 3-D Printing- Future State
1. Explain what is possible with future technology
1. Future cost
2. Household item possibility
2. Discuss future plans for commercial 3-D printing
1. How will it be incorporated into traditional manufacturing?
3. What is theoretically possible for 3-D printers to achieve?
1. Food
2. Homes
3. Vehicles
4. Pirating
1. Discuss limitations of online piracy in its current state.
2. Explain how being able to access to pirated 3-D plans could affect the industry.
3. Research and explain the potential dangers of this.
1. People illegally downloading weapons.
5. Social Impacts
1. How will the job market be affected if people can print clothing, electronics, or even homes?
2. Will this benefit or harm society in the long run?
6. Regulations
1. What regulations will need to put on 3-D printers in order to stop illegal activities?
2. How will these restrictions limit the capabilities of future 3-D printers?
7. Conclusion

Comment on Other Blog Post
To Dave Barbalace:
I personally think that 3D printing an entire house would be difficult unless they are small in size. I felt like having a 3D printer that big is unpractical and would take as much time to construct as a house would. I look forward to seeing what you come up with and it seems like a very difficult but interesting topic. Over all good post, thorough but short and sweet outline, getting straight to the point so I don't have to read as much, I like that.

To Brian Benson

Brain,

I believe this is a very interesting topic. Most people assume that sustainability and intelligent buildings coincide with each other. It will be interesting to see if that is actually true. I personally believe that sustainability should be a prime concern in intelligent buildings but it is possible that your research may prove otherwise. I look forward to hearing about your results and potential improvements for intelligent building design. 

B - What's the relation of BIM to other IT Software?

Although BIM is improving its capabilities and features, it still lacks in terms of what other software such as SAP or eQuest can analyse.

Industry standards such as CAD have dominated the engineering and design atmosphere for so long, and BIM is seemingly putting an end to it.  Typical 2D software is no longer sufficient when the capabilities to manage and model 3D figures are there to help owners, designers, and engineers better visualize the structure under review.

BIM interoperability with different software is allowing groups to use the software of their choice and allowing them to interact with fewer errors between the transfer of data among them.  One of the challenges that faces BIM in industry is the need to link other types of software to the model in order for firms to achieve the level of functionality that they're looking for.  Many designers still prefer to use platforms developed specifically for their individual disciplines.

BIM will Improve Buildings

BIM applications have become very popular in the field of architectural and civil engineering over the years. Programs such as Revit can be seen in most major AE firms throughout the world due to the benefits that the program provides. BIM is a digital representation of a building that exceeds any drafting software to date. While this technology is very powerful and has many advantages, there are risks associated. This blog post intends to determine whether BIM improves the quality of building design and functionality, or causes harm to the project.

 The benefits to properly utilizing a BIM application in building design are numerous. BIM software is able to model the properly model a building's geometry that portrays a more clear image. Esther mentions parametric modeling in her post, which is a function that will save engineers and drafters valuable time that can go into building design. Corners will not be cut because it is too difficult and time consuming to change the thickness of a wall during the final stages of design. Also BIM is not restricted to the design phase of a building. BIM is utilized for construction management, cost estimating and facilities management. Being able to perform these functions in one platform will allow more effective buildings to be designed.(Azhar 2008) Michael K. mentioned in his post how BIM can determine energy trends in buildings. These monitored trends will then be used to make the building and futures more energy efficient. Buildings will be able to last longer with constantly monitored health and the data will be easier to access with the information all on one platform.

Utilizing BIM also saves firms thousands of dollars. Table one is a case study from 10 different firms in which BIM has saved a huge amount of money. If the utilization of BIM becomes more mainstream and efficient, the amount of savings will only increase. Money and time can then be diverted to other tasks such as providing a more efficient HVAC or MEP plan.

Table 1: Representation of return on investment of BIM. (Azhar 2008)

The use of BIM does provide some risks however. The biggest and most influential problem with BIM concerns liability and responsibility. Due to BIM integrating all of the project data into one platform, the origination of design errors will be more difficult to place(Thompson 2007). No one will gladly except a lawsuit even if they know it there fault. This "blur" of the lines of responsibility could potentially lead to more carelessness due to those responsible knowing they may get away with it. (Azhar 2008)

While BIM does have challenges that it needs to overcome, it does not diminish the impact it has had on the industry. BIM has greatly improved the efficiency of the design process and improved communication between different firms and consultants.(Thompson 2007) With time, BIM may completely abolish software such as 2-D CAD drafting due to the numerous benefits it provides to building design. Buildings will be designed quicker and overall more efficiently through the use of BIM.



Azhar, Salman, Michael Hein, and Blake Sketo. "Building information modeling (BIM): Benefits, risks and challenges." Proceedings of the 44th ASC National Conference. 2008.

Thompson, D. B., and Ryan G. Miner. "Building information modeling-BIM: Contractual risks are changing with technology." WWW document] URL http://www. aepronet. org/ge/no35. html (2007).

Week 4 - BIM vs. Drafting (with a CAD Program) - Advantages and Disadvantages

BIM vs. Drafting (with a CAD Program) - Advantages and Disadvantages

As many companies merge towards incorporating BIM into most of their projects, they may wonder if using BIM has more advantages than disadvantages.  The easy answer to this question would be that BIM is much more advantageous due to its ability to perform parametric modeling and incorporate all of the different systems within a building at once.  For example, Dongyan Qi described in his blog post about BIM being able to provide a 3D walkthrough and renderings of all of the systems.  However, BIM does more than just this.  Unlike BIM, CAD is a 2D technology that outputs a collection of lines and text on a page. These lines have no inherent meaning, whether inside the computer or on the printed sheet. . . there is little to no correlation or intelligent connection among them.” (Dzambazova)  If two parallel lines are drawn in CAD, they say nothing about that wall other than it exists.  It does not give the materials that make it or any of the material properties.  BIM, on the other hand, is modeled so that “Each component and material understands its physical properties as well as how it will perform as a building system so we can get rich data out of the model regarding heating and cooling, most efficient building orientation, solar gains, etc.; we can test our building before it’s built” (Webster)  The objects are no longer modeled as just a set of lines that give the dimensions, they can be specified “in terms of its structural, acoustic, thermal or aesthetic performance. “ (Hamil)  Engineers can use this info, which can be updated if necessary, to determine things like how the combined insulation properties of external and internal walls affects the heating and cooling loads that will need to be provided by the HVAC in the building. 

As convenient as it is to be able to monitor and produce models that can provide these properties, it can have some drawbacks as well.  For example, CAD can be seen as being advantageous because it provides “a set of instructions for the intended means of constructing the building. Exact means in this method are hashed out during shop drawings, coordination meetings and often in the field after construction has begun.” (Webster) This allows engineers using a CAD system to speed up the process of erecting a structure.  Many owners of the structure being designed would love to start the construction process as soon as possible, especially if they know that decisions can still be successfully made regarding the design after they have broken ground.  Also, there are many custom made materials and parts that are not included in the libraries of BIM software of objects to be modeled.  Matt Morimoto mentioned in his blog post about conduit elbows sometimes not being able to be connected due to sizing issues.  Although BIM software such as Revit allows the creation of families to model and place new 3D objects, it is sometimes only necessary, and therefore easier, to just provide a simple 2D model that can be easily created in a CAD system.  

Resources:

Dave Webster. "Keys to a Successful BIM Implementation: BIM vs. CAD: Really…What’s the Difference?" MasterGraphics Weblog RSS. N.p., 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://www.mastergraphics.com/wordpress/2011/keys-to-a-successful-bim-implementation-bim-vs-cad-reallywhats-the-difference/>.

Dzambazova, Tatjana, Eddy Krygiel, and Greg Demchak. "Understanding BIM." Introducing Revit Architecture 2010: BIM for Beginners. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Pub., 2009. N. pag. Safari. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://my.safaribooksonline.com/book/cad/9780470473559/understanding-bim/how_bim_is_different_from_cad>.

Stephen Hamil. "Isn't BIM Just 3D CAD?" Nbs, Aug. 2011. Web. 28 Jan. 2014. <http://www.thenbs.com/topics/bim/articles/isntBimJust3Dcad.asp>.